The Oklahoma State Senate approved legislation Wednesday authorizing
the Commissioner of Public Safety to house and train canines for
drug and bomb units.

House Bill 2695 is authored by State Senator
Earl Garrison, D-Muskogee and Rep. Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo.
The bill now goes to Gov. Brad Henry for approval.

HB 2695 allows the Department of Public Safety to acquire, house
and train canines to assist in explosives detection, seek out and
discover controlled dangerous substances, perform article searches,
perform drug interdiction, provide officer protection, and engage
in tracking of suspected criminals. Each canine would be kenneled
with its full-time trainer-handler who serves as the primary caregiver
of the canine.

Sen. Garrison said there are 19 handlers who train 26 dogs. He
said there will be no cost to the state to build the kennels. He
said any costs associated with acquiring, housing and training the
canines will be paid for with asset forfeiture funds.

“This measure is about public safety,” Garrison said.
“The trainers dedicate a lot of time preparing these dogs
to aid in everything from drug searches to bomb detection. It only
makes sense to allow them to provide kennel housing on their private
property. We must give law enforcement every tool available to help
them to keep all Oklahomans safe.”